Looking to bounce-back from last weekend’s disappointment we would face the most familiar of foes in the Glasgow Tigers at their Nethercraigs home.
With #22 Gamuchirai Mukuredzi managing to haul in an interception on the opening play of the game (Glasgow having opted to receive the opening kick-off of the game) the Roughnecks would immediately be set up in great field position. Looking to press home this early advantage we would opt to go for it on a short 4th down, but coming up infuriating short, Glasgow would get the ball back inside their own redzone. A long drive entirely on the ground, would provide Glasgow with an early opportunity to score themselves, managing to power the ball into the endzone on an outside run to take the lead with a successful PAT making the score 7 - 0.
With the ground game providing some good avenues down the field, Running Back #6 Lewis Hughes and Quarterback #18 Rhys Elmslie would begin to move the move the ball downfield, although either the Tigers defence or costly mistakes would see the end to drives and a blocked field goal would see the first half finish with just the one score, 7 - 0 Tigers.
With a change in the offensive backfield, the Roughnecks would find joy in the 3rd quarter with Quarterback #16 Chris Breen finding - now Wide Receiver - #18 Rhys Elmslie down the right sideline to get the momentum going, and it would be that link-up which provided the first Roughnecks score of the game. Rhys corralling a long pass down the right sideline beyond the Tigers’ cornerback to stroll into the endzone, although a blocked PAT would leave the score at 7 - 6. The defence had been holding up its end of the bargain creating turnovers to get the ball back for the offence but would allow the Tigers to extend the lead in the 4th quarter as the Tigers quarterback would tuck the ball under his arm, and weave his way into the endzone from about 15 yards out, although the missed PAT would leave the difference between the two teams at 7.
Again moving the ball through the air and on the ground, the Roughnecks would find the endzone, this time through a brotherly connection with Chris finding #1 WR Sean Breen who squeezed through a tackle to find the endzone. Opting to go for 2 rather than the usual PAT, following two previously blocked kick attempts, Chris would nearly find brother Sean again this time though the ball would be just out of reach for Sean to leave the score at Roughnecks 12 - 13 Tigers. Looking to bleed out the clock the Tigers would keep the ball on the ground the rest of the way, holding on to get the win, despite some playground theatrics from the Roughnecks offence on the final play of the game as the Tigers defence would swarm to the ball and prevent the laterals from creating the required space.
FT: Aberdeen Roughnecks 12 - 13 Glasgow Tigers
A much better showing than in the previous week against the Rams, despite coming up just short, we take the positives to build upon and negatives to learn from ahead of our game against the Gateshead Senators in 2 weeks time.
MVPs, Scorers and Turnovers
Defensive MVP: #64 DL Josh Bahru
Josh had his best game as a Roughneck today, getting to the QB, tackling in the running game, and recovering a fumble. Josh stood out from DT - a tough thing to do - and gave his all from start to finish.
Offensive MVP: #18 QB/WR Rhys Elmslie
Starting at QB, Rhys created yardage through the air, ran the ball hard and conducted the offence. In the second half at Wide Receiver he would find the endzone, and make a couple of important catches from QB Chris Breen, laying everything out for the team, it was Rhys’ legs keeping the game alive on the final play of the game
MVP: #22 DB Gamuchirai Mukuredzi
Appointed captain due to a couple of absences, Gamu would step up producing two turnovers, with one interception and fumble recovery from free safety. Game would also find success tackling Glasgow’s running backs, blitzing the QB and in the kick return game, providing the energy and impetus for a strong defensive showing.
Touchdowns:
#18 WR Rhys Elmslie and #1 WR Sean Breen both from #16 QB Chris Breen
Turnovers:
Interception: #22 Gamuchirai Mukuredzi
Fumble Recoveries: #64 Josh Bahru and #22 Gamuchirai Mukuredzi both forced by #95 DL Winston Ojoi
